Australia enjoys one of the most comprehensive and rigorous STAR Rating Schemes in the world. Over 10,000 accommodation properties throughout the country are STAR Rated.

Every single one of these properties opens their doors, and pulls back their doonas for a detailed independent assessment by AAA Tourism, on behalf of the Australian Auto Clubs.

The Clubs have been awarding STAR Ratings since the 1960s. Over time consumers have built up a great deal of trust in the ‘STARS’. In a recent survey (Colmar Brunton) it was found that over 70 per cent of consumers rely on them when selecting their accommodation.

A small minority of accommodation operators however, are making up their own rating for their accommodation. This ‘Self Rating’ is not the same as a STAR Rating. It comes with no assurance of quality and consistency.

“Properties that ‘Self Rate’ themselves without submitting to independent assessment are giving consumers no assurance that they are going to get what they pay for,” said Jeff Floyd, CEO AAA Tourism.

“A hotel, motel or B&B appointing itself as ‘5 STAR’ or ‘5 anything’ is like my daughter choosing her own university entry score at the end of Year 12!” said Mr Floyd.

Peter Cook, Chair of Bed & Breakfast and Farmstay Australia agrees that “STAR Ratings are the only way to accurately describe the level of facilities and amenities and are the most effective third party method of verifying accommodation standards.”

“The STAR Rating Scheme in Australia has been developed and enhanced over 50 years by Australia’s Auto Clubs and has widespread consumer recognition. This puts us at a significant competitive advantage against countries that don’t have a credible rating scheme,” said Christopher Brown, Managing Director Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) Australia.

AAA Tourism would like to advise consumers that the Australian STAR Rating Scheme is the only consistent National Scheme.

Only accommodation properties that have joined the Scheme, and undergone a complete assessment, can receive a license to use a rating between 1 and 5 STARs.

“Action is taken against an accommodation property claiming to be STAR Rated when it is not in the Australian STAR Rating Scheme,” said Jeff Floyd.

“If properties make up their own Rating using some other symbol we will do our best to alert the consumer to the fact that it is not an official rating. We want to protect the significant investments made by the 10,000 accommodation operators that actually earn their STAR Rating.”

Jeff provides a quick checklist for those consumers who want to make sure they choose STAR Rated accommodation.

“The easiest way for consumers to ensure they ‘get what they pay for’ is to let the
STARS guide them.”

To find out more about STAR Ratings visit your local Auto Club’s website:

NRMA: www.mynrma.com.au/travel
RACV: www.racv.com.au
RACQ: www.racq.com.au
RAA: www.raa.net
RAC: www.rac.com.au
RACT: www.ract.com.au
AANT: www.aant.com.au

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